Method and apparatus for indicating the impaired sequences of an audiovisual document

Abstract

During reproduction of an audio or audiovisual document, a document is read from a recording medium. The audio or audiovisual content of the non impaired sequences, which represent sequences of the document which are not defective, are fully recorded. Impaired sequences of the document, which are defective sequences of the document are not recorded, but are represented by an identifier and information corresponding to the duration of the impaired sequences. The recorded sequences are then reproduced and a graphics menu representing the content of the document is displayed. The menu indicates the location of the impaired sequences with respect to the non impaired sequences and the duration of the impaired sequences.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for operating a device, comprising:
 receiving, via said device, a document having audio or audiovisual content, said document comprising a plurality of sequences including a non-impaired sequence and an impaired sequence; 
 detecting, via said device, said impaired sequence in said received document; 
 recording, via said device, said received document including said non-impaired sequence without recording said impaired sequence, wherein data indicating at least one identifier and a duration associated with said non-recorded impaired sequence is recorded; 
 reproducing, via said device, said recorded document by reproducing said non-impaired sequence representing a portion of said content of said document concurrently with a display of a graphics menu, said graphics menu visually indicating a location of said non-recorded impaired sequence with respect to said non-impaired sequence and said duration of said non-recorded impaired sequence; 
 providing, via said device, a visual message in response to reaching said impaired sequence during said reproduction of said recorded document; and 
 wherein said reproduction of said recorded document is interrupted in response to reaching said impaired sequence, and said visual message includes information for enabling a user to continue said reproduction of said recorded document. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said graphics menu also visually indicates a ratio between a duration of said non-impaired sequence and said duration of said impaired sequence. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprised of providing a sound signal in response to reaching said impaired sequence during said reproduction of said recorded document. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein if a plurality of consecutive impaired sequences are detected, a single identifier and a single duration whose value is the aggregate value of said consecutive impaired sequences is recorded to represent said consecutive impaired sequences. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprised of presenting a list of recorded documents in which said received document possessing said impaired sequence is graphically highlighted. 
     
     
       6. A device, comprising:
 an input for receiving a document having audio or audiovisual content, said document comprising a plurality of sequences including a non-impaired sequence and an impaired sequence; and 
 a processor for detecting said impaired sequence in said received document; 
 said processor enabling recording of said received document including said non-impaired sequence without recording said impaired sequence, wherein data indicating at least one identifier and a duration associated with said non-recorded impaired sequence is recorded; 
 said processor enabling reproduction of said recorded document by reproducing said non-impaired sequence representing a portion of said content of said document concurrently with a display of a graphics menu, said graphics menu visually indicating a location of said non-recorded impaired sequence with respect to said non-impaired sequence and said duration of said non-recorded impaired sequence; and wherein: 
 a visual message is provided in response to reaching said impaired sequence during said reproduction of said recorded document; 
 said reproduction of said recorded document is interrupted in response to reaching said impaired sequence; and 
 said visual message includes information for enabling a user to continue said reproduction of said recorded document. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein said graphics menu also visually indicates a ratio between a duration of said non-impaired sequence and said duration of said impaired sequence. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 6 , wherein a sound signal is provided in response to reaching said impaired sequence during said reproduction of said recorded document. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 6 , wherein if a plurality of consecutive impaired sequences are detected, a single identifier and a single duration whose value is the aggregate value of said consecutive impaired sequences is recorded to represent said consecutive impaired sequences. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 6 , wherein a list of recorded documents is presented in which said received document possessing said impaired sequence is graphically highlighted.